Helical Granular Mobility With Forward Mass Bias for Slope Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices struggle to navigate steep slopes in granular media without causing excessive slippage or landslides, and they are inefficient in measuring environmental properties below the surface.
Innovation Solution
A device with rotatable parts featuring helical fins and a forward-centered mass configuration, allowing it to maintain traction on slopes and incorporate sensors for subsurface property measurement, along with a deployable probe for vertical penetration and topical interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the device burrows through the granular medium to measure subsurface properties, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the measurement function from the locomotion function by using a deployable probe that can be extended into the granular medium independently from the main device body. This allows subsurface measurement without requiring the entire device to burrow through the medium, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If the device uses a forward-centered mass configuration, then traction on slopes is improved, but adaptability to different terrain conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a reconfigurable mass distribution system that can dynamically adjust the center of mass position based on terrain conditions. For uphill traversal, the mass is positioned forward to enhance traction; for downhill or flat terrain, the mass can be repositioned to optimize stability and prevent excessive sinking, thus maintaining both slope traction and terrain adaptability.
3Productivity
If the device navigates steep slopes in granular medium, then measurement coverage is improved, but slippage and landslides increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the entire device to traverse steep slopes, the invention uses a deployable probe that can be extended vertically into the granular medium from a stable position on the slope. This partial action approach allows subsurface measurement at elevated positions without the full device experiencing the harmful effects of slope navigation, thereby maintaining measurement coverage while avoiding slippage and landslides.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides stable movement on slopes, ensures better traction, and enables effective subsurface environmental property sensing and intervention, enhancing navigation and data collection in granular media.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more rotatable parts each comprise one or more helical fins extending outward from the rotational axis, such that rotation of the one or more rotatable parts is configured to cause movement of the device on the granular medium
Implementation Method 2
A first longitudinal distance between a centre of mass of the device and the front of the body is less than a second longitudinal distance between, an expected centre of contact between the device and the granular medium when the device is on a flat portion of granular medium, and the front of the body
Data Source
AI summary
A device for moving on a granular medium including one or more slopes. The device includes: a body having a front and rear in longitudinal direction; and one or more rotatable parts, each for rotational movement relative to body about respective rotational axis having component aligned with longitudinal direction, and being externally-exposed to adjacent portion of granular medium wherein device is provided. The one or more rotatable parts includes one or more helical fins extending outward from rotational axis, wherein rotation of one or more rotatable parts is configured to cause movement of device on granular medium. A first longitudinal distance between centre of mass of device and front of the body is less than a second longitudinal distance between, expected centre of contact between device and granular medium when device is on flat portion of granular medium, and front of body.